Baffert has favorites for Sunland Park preps

Feb 11, 2025 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

A quick horse from California appears the horse to beat over the traditionally quick surface at Sunland Park in New Mexico on Sunday when Getaway Car tops a field of nine in the $400,000 Sunland Park Derby.

Now in its second year as a 1 1/16-mile fixture in February, the Sunland Park Derby was won last season by Stronghold, who subsequently captured the Santa Anita Derby (G1) before finishing seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The Sunland Park Derby offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 20-10-6-4-2 to the respective top five finishers.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert can secure a record-breaking fourth Sunland Park Derby if Getaway Car shakes loose. Although his signature win occurred over six furlongs in the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar last summer, the son of Curlin hung tough in longer races into the fall.

"X" marks the spot, and trainer Bob Baffert is driving the "Getaway Car" to an 18th Del Mar Futurity win on Sunday. 🏇 🎶 https://t.co/HTltmAP8HA

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 6, 2024

In three attempts at 1 1/16 miles, Getaway Car has finished second twice, in the American Pharoah (G1) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). The American Pharoah and Breeders' Cup Juvenile were won by his stablemate, champion Citizen Bull.

Also invading from California is McKinzie Street, who should also appreciate the class relief. He's placed in three of four stakes attempts on his home circuit, including the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and American Pharoah.

Touchy, who broke his maiden at Keeneland two back and was most recently second in the Turfway Prevue, appears a capable contender for trainer Wesley Ward, while Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has entered recent Oaklawn graduate Caldera.

The local contingent includes the top three finishers from the Jan. 17 Riley Allison Futurity over one mile: Take Charge Tom, Remember Big Jim, and Smash It. The Turf Paradise shippers Itsmybirthday and Spenard complete the field.

Earlier on the card, the Baffert-trained maiden winner Maysam looks the horse to beat in the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks over one mile. That race offers Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points of 20-10-6-4-2 to the respective top finishers.

Post time for the Sunland Park Oaks is 5:13 p.m. ET and the Sunland Park Derby is scheduled for 6:17 p.m. Both races can be watched and wagered on at TwinSpires.com.